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Geography Stats: compare key data on France & United Kingdom

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Definitions

  • Area > Comparative: The area of various small countries expressed in comparison to various areas within the United States of America.
  • Area > Land: Total land area in square kilometres
  • Area > Land > Per capita: Total land area in square kilometres Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Area > Total: Total area in square kilometers
  • Average precipitation in depth > Mm per year: Average precipitation in depth (mm per year). Average precipitation is the long-term average in depth (over space and time) of annual precipitation in the country. Precipitation is defined as any kind of water that falls from clouds as a liquid or a solid.
  • Average rainfall in depth > Mm per year: Average rainfall is the long-term average in depth (over space and time) of annual precipitation in the country. Precipitation is defined as any kind of water that falls from clouds as a liquid or a solid.
  • Climate: A brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year.
  • Coastline: The total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea.
  • Geographic coordinates: This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources.
  • Land area > Sq. km: Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes."
  • Land area > Square miles: Country land area.
  • Location: The country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water.
  • Natural resources: A country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance.
  • Surface area > Sq. km: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways.
  • Terrain: A brief description of the topography
  • Area > Water: Total water area in square kilometers
  • Area > Comparative to US places: This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
  • Population density > People per sq. km: Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.
  • Elevation extremes > Highest point: Highest point above sea level
  • Total area > Sq. km: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways."
  • Land use > Arable land: The percentage of used land that is arable. Arable land is land cultivated for crops that are replanted after each harvest like wheat, maize, and rice
  • Land boundaries > Border countries: Length of land boundaries by border country
  • Irrigated land: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water.
  • Natural hazards: Potential natural disasters.
  • Rural population density > Rural population per sq. km of arable land: Rural population density is the rural population divided by the arable land area. Rural population is calculated as the difference between the total population and the urban population. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.
  • Maritime claims > Territorial sea: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal State extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the LOS Convention (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles. A full and definitive definition can be found in the Law of the Sea (LOS) Convention.
  • Area > Land per 1000: Total land area in square kilometres. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Elevation extremes > Lowest point: This entry is derived from Geography > Elevation extremes, which includes both the highest point and the lowest point.
  • Coastline per 1000: The total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Population density: People per square kilometre, in 1999. At this time the world average was 14.42.
  • Land area > Sq. km > Per capita: Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes." Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Map references: The name of the CIA World Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries.
  • Capital city with population: Capital cities including most recent population (estimates included). Populations are figures only within the city limits, unless otherwise specified. All populations are from 2001 t0 2005 unless otherwise specified.
  • Largest city with population: Largest cities including most recent population (estimates included). Populations are figures only within the city limits, unless otherwise specified. All populations are from 2001 t0 2005 unless otherwise specified.
  • Forest area > Sq. km: Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens."
  • Surface area > Sq. km per 1000: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Environment > Current issues: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
    Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain).
    Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England.
    Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog.
    Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire.
    Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form.
    Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption.
    Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat.
    Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume.
    Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits.
    Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar.
    DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972.
    Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health.
    Deforestation - ...
    Full definition
  • Land use > Other: The percentage share of used land that is not arable or under permanent crops. This includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc.
  • Area > Total per 1000: Total area in square kilometers. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Area > Water per 1000: Total water area in square kilometers. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Land use > Permanent crops: The percentage share of used land on which permanent crops are grown. This is land cultivated for crops that are not replanted after each harvest like citrus, coffee, and rubber. It includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.
  • Road density > Km of road per 100 sq. km of land area: Road density (km of road per 100 sq. km of land area). Road density is the ratio of the length of the country's total road network to the country's land area. The road network includes all roads in the country: motorways, highways, main or national roads, secondary or regional roads, and other urban and rural roads.
  • Google Street View, year added: Year in which country was first covered by Google Street View.
  • Environment > International agreements > Party to: This entry is derived from Geography > Environment > International agreements, which separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
  • Surface area > Sq. km > Per capita: Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Precipitation: Average Annual Precipitation in Largest City (mm, 1931-1960)
  • Irrigated land > Per capita: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Note: This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere.
  • Irrigated land per million: The number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Capital: Country capital.
  • Border to area ratio: The ratio of a country's land border to its surface area.
  • Marine Coastline: Length of each country's coastline in kilometers.
  • Environment > International agreements > Signed, but not ratified: This entry is derived from Geography > Environment > International agreements, which separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
  • Countries on other side of the world: Countries diametrically opposite of each other. For instance, if one were to draw a straight line though the center of the earth in Argentina it would end in China. These countries are considered antipodes.
  • Northernmost point: Northernmost point.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Forested Land: Forested land as a proportion of total land area, estimate by FAO
  • Area > Water > Per capita: Total water area in square kilometers Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Area > Note: This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.
  • Area > Total > Per capita: Total area in square kilometers Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Lowest point altitude: Altitude.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Northernmost point latitude: Latitude.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Lowest point: Lowest point.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Terrestrial protected areas > % of total land area: Terrestrial protected areas (% of total land area). Terrestrial protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine areas, unclassified areas, littoral (intertidal) areas, and sites protected under local or provincial law are excluded.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Forest area > % of land area: Forest area is land under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens."
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Continent or sub continent: Within Continent / Subcontinent.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Terrestrial and marine protected areas > % of total territorial area: Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area). Terrestrial protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment. Sites protected under local or provincial law are excluded.
  • Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters > % of total population: Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters (% of total population). Population below 5m is the percentage of the total population living in areas where the elevation is 5 meters or less.
  • Agricultural land > % of land area: Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable, under permanent crops, and under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded. Land under permanent crops is land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber. Permanent pasture is land used for five or more years for forage, including natural and cultivated crops.
  • Low-lying areas > Elevation under 5 metres > % of land area: Land area where elevation is below 5 meters (% of total land area). Land area below 5m is the percentage of total land where the elevation is 5 meters or less.
  • Arable land > % of land area: Arable land (% of land area). Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people: This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people: This entry is derived from Geography > Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural , which provides the annual quantity of water in cubic kilometers removed from available sources for use in any purpose. Water drawn-off is not necessarily entirely consumed and some portion may be returned for further use downstream. Domestic sector use refers to water supplied by public distribution systems. Note that some of this total may be used for small industrial and/or limited agricultural purposes. Industrial sector use is the quantity of water used by self-supplied industries not connected to a public distribution system. Agricultural sector use includes water used for irrigation and livestock watering, and does not account for agriculture directly dependent on rainfall. Included are figures for total annual water withdrawal and per capita water withdrawal. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
STAT France United Kingdom HISTORY
Area > Comparative slightly less than the size of Texas slightly smaller than Oregon
Area > Land 545,630 sq km
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United Kingdom
241,590 sq km
Ranked 77th.

Area > Land > Per capita 8.94 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.96 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 176th.

Area > Total 643,801 sq km
Ranked 44th. 3 times more than United Kingdom
243,610 sq km
Ranked 81st.

Average precipitation in depth > Mm per year 867
Ranked 98th.
1,220
Ranked 73th. 41% more than France

Average rainfall in depth > Mm per year 867
Ranked 93th.
1,220
Ranked 70th. 41% more than France
Climate <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation<br /><strong>Guadeloupe and Martinique:</strong> subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average<br /><strong>Mayotte:</strong> tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)<br /><strong>Reunion:</strong> tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Coastline 4,853 km
Ranked 29th.
12,429 km
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than France

Geographic coordinates <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>46 00 N, 2 00 E<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> 4 00 N, 53 00 W<br /><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> 16 15 N, 61 35 W<br /><strong>Martinique:</strong> 14 40 N, 61 00 W<br /><strong>Mayotte:</strong> 12 50 S, 45 10 E<br /><strong>Reunion:</strong> 21 06 S, 55 36 E 54 00 N, 2 00 W
Land area > Sq. km 547,660 sq km
Ranked 46th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
241,930 sq km
Ranked 76th.

Land area > Square miles 210,026 square miles
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
93,638 square miles
Ranked 34th.
Location <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname<br /><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico<br /><strong>Martinique:</strong> Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago<br /><strong>Mayotte:</strong> Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique<br /><strong>Reunion:</strong> Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Western Europe, islands - including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea; northwest of France
Natural resources <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
Surface area > Sq. km 551,500 km²
Ranked 47th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
243,610 km²
Ranked 78th.

Terrain <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains<br /><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin<br /><strong>Martinique:</strong> mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano<br /><strong>Mayotte:</strong> generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks<br /><strong>Reunion:</strong> mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast
Area > Water 3,374 sq km
Ranked 79th. Twice as much as United Kingdom
1,680 sq km
Ranked 94th.

Area > Comparative to US places slightly less than the size of Texas slightly smaller than Oregon
Population density > People per sq. km 110.66 people/m²
Ranked 80th.
248.94 people/m²
Ranked 39th. 2 times more than France

Elevation extremes > Highest point Mont Blanc 4,807 m Ben Nevis 1,343 m
Total area > Sq. km 549,190
Ranked 46th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
243,610
Ranked 76th.

Land use > Arable land 33.45%
Ranked 20th. 34% more than United Kingdom
24.88%
Ranked 38th.

Land boundaries > Border countries Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Ireland 360 km
Irrigated land 26,000 sq km
Ranked 23th. 13 times more than United Kingdom
1,950 sq km
Ranked 75th.

Natural hazards flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean winter windstorms; floods
Rural population density > Rural population per sq. km of arable land 76.64 people/km² of arable lan
Ranked 58th.
108.28 people/km² of arable lan
Ranked 53th. 41% more than France

Maritime claims > Territorial sea 12 nautical mile
Ranked 163th. The same as United Kingdom
12 nautical mile
Ranked 108th.

Area > Land per 1000 8.58 sq km
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.94 sq km
Ranked 159th.

Elevation extremes > Lowest point Rhone River delta -2 m The Fens -4 m
Coastline per 1000 0.0524 km
Ranked 118th.
0.198 km
Ranked 77th. 4 times more than France

Population density 108.09 people per sqkm
Ranked 92nd.
244.69 people per sqkm
Ranked 48th. 2 times more than France
Land area > Sq. km > Per capita 8.97 per 1,000 people
Ranked 123th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.97 per 1,000 people
Ranked 160th.

Map references <strong>metropolitan France: </strong>Europe<br /><strong>French Guiana:</strong> South America<br /><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Central America and the Caribbean<br /><strong>Martinique:</strong> Central America and the Caribbean<br /><strong>Mayotte:</strong> Africa<br /><strong>Reunion:</strong> World Europe
Capital city with population Paris - 2,144,700 London - 7,500,000
Largest city with population Paris - 2,144,700 London - 7,500,000
Total renewable water resources None None
Forest area > Sq. km 156,352
Ranked 37th. 5 times more than United Kingdom
28,658
Ranked 88th.

Surface area > Sq. km per 1000 8.73 km²
Ranked 129th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
4.05 km²
Ranked 162nd.

Environment > Current issues some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move toward a domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government reduced the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and recycled or composted at least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015
Land use > Other 64.69%
Ranked 3rd.
74.93%
Ranked 188th. 16% more than France

Area > Total per 1000 8.6 sq km
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.99 sq km
Ranked 162nd.

Area > Water per 1000 0.022 sq km
Ranked 1st.
0.0526 sq km
Ranked 109th. 2 times more than France

Land use > Permanent crops 1.86%
Ranked 92nd. 10 times more than United Kingdom
0.18%
Ranked 172nd.

Road density > Km of road per 100 sq. km of land area 187.27 sq. km
Ranked 13th. 9% more than United Kingdom
172.25 sq. km
Ranked 17th.

Google Street View, year added 2,008
Ranked 67th.
2,009
Ranked 60th. The same as France
Environment > International agreements > Party to Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
Surface area > Sq. km > Per capita 9.06 km² per 1,000 people
Ranked 130th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
4.04 km² per 1,000 people
Ranked 166th.

Precipitation 650 mm
Ranked 58th.
754 mm
Ranked 48th. 16% more than France
Irrigated land > Per capita 0.432 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 52nd. 15 times more than United Kingdom
0.029 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 142nd.

Note largest West European nation lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters
Irrigated land per million 417.72 sq km
Ranked 52nd. 15 times more than United Kingdom
28.54 sq km
Ranked 139th.

Capital Paris London
Border to area ratio 0.00524 km/km²
Ranked 116th. 4 times more than United Kingdom
0.00148 km/km²
Ranked 153th.
Marine Coastline 4,853 km
Ranked 29th.
12,429 km
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than France
Freshwater > Withdrawal > Per capita 548 197
Freshwater > Withdrawal > Total 33.16 11.75
Environment > International agreements > Signed, but not ratified none of the selected agreements none of the selected agreements
Countries on other side of the world Mainland: New Zealand ( Chatham Islands ) Southern &amp; Antarctic Lands : Canada , United States French Guiana : Indonesia New Caledonia : Mauritania , Western Sahara Wallis and Futuna : Niger French Polynesia : Sudan , Egypt , Saudi Arabia , Eritrea , Ethiopia ( Falklands ) China , Russia ; ( Gibraltar ) New Zealand ; ( South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ) Russia ; ( Pitcairn ) Saudi Arabia , UAE ( Bermuda ) Australia
Northernmost point Bray-Dunes , Nord Out Stack , Shetland Islands
Forested Land 27.9%
Ranked 97th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
11.6%
Ranked 140th.
Area > Water > Per capita 22.94 sq km per 1 million peo
Ranked 4th.
53 sq km per 1 million peo
Ranked 112th. 2 times more than France

Area > Note the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion includes Rockall and Shetland Islands
Area > Total > Per capita 8.96 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than United Kingdom
4.02 sq km per 1,000 people
Ranked 181st.

Area > A note includes only metropolitan <a href=/country/fr>France</a>; excludes the overseas <a href=/graph-T/gov_adm_div>administrative divisions</a> includes Rockall and <a href=/encyclopedia/Shetland-Islands><a href=/encyclopedia/Shetland-Islands>Shetland</a></a> Islands
Lowest point altitude \u22122 m (\u22126.6 ft) \u22124 m (\u221213 ft)
Northernmost point latitude 51\u00b005'N 60\u00b051'N
Lowest point Camargue The Fens
Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita 512.1 cu m/yr
Ranked 6th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
213.2 cu m/yr
Ranked 11th.

Terrestrial protected areas > % of total land area 24.74%
Ranked 42nd.
27.91%
Ranked 31st. 13% more than France

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total 31.62 cu km/yr
Ranked 25th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
13.03 cu km/yr
Ranked 39th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita 512.1 cu m/yr
Ranked 6th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
213.2 cu m/yr
Ranked 11th.

Forest area > % of land area 28.55%
Ranked 96th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
11.85%
Ranked 140th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people 0.479 cu km/yr
Ranked 59th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
0.206 cu km/yr
Ranked 108th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total per million people 0.479 cu km/yr
Ranked 59th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
0.206 cu km/yr
Ranked 108th.

Continent or sub continent Europe / South America Europe
Terrestrial and marine protected areas > % of total territorial area 28.7%
Ranked 24th. 23% more than United Kingdom
23.37%
Ranked 42nd.

Population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters > % of total population 4.04%
Ranked 116th.
8.64%
Ranked 76th. 2 times more than France

Agricultural land > % of land area 53.72%
Ranked 59th.
72.94%
Ranked 19th. 36% more than France

Low-lying areas > Elevation under 5 metres > % of land area 2.07%
Ranked 110th.
7.61%
Ranked 56th. 4 times more than France

Arable land > % of land area 33.54%
Ranked 24th. 34% more than United Kingdom
25.06%
Ranked 40th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Total 31.62 cu km/yr
Ranked 25th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
13.03 cu km/yr
Ranked 39th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people 7.91 cu m/yr
Ranked 19th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.47 cu m/yr
Ranked 12th.

Freshwater withdrawal > Domestic/industrial/agricultural > Per capita per million people 7.91 cu m/yr
Ranked 19th. 2 times more than United Kingdom
3.47 cu m/yr
Ranked 12th.

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; Food and Agriculture Organization; Food and Agriculture Organisation, electronic files and web site.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; British Broadcasting Corporation 2014; World Development Indicators database; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Heal The World Foundation.; United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook, City Population, CIA World Factbook, World Gazetteer, Official government websites.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; International Road Federation, World Road Statistics and electronic files, except where noted.; Wikipedia: Google Street View (Coverage); United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook; Wikipedia: List of countries and territories by border/area ratio (Border/area ratio); CIA Factbook: List of countries by coastline size; Wikipedia: Antipodes (Countries); Wikipedia: List of countries by northernmost point; FAO; CIA World Factbook, December 2003; Wikipedia: List of countries by lowest point; CIA World Factbook 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: List of political and geographic borders (Countries); Center for International Earth Science Information Network; Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.

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